Revelation 21:24 kjv
And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
Revelation 21:24 nkjv
And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light, and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it.
Revelation 21:24 niv
The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.
Revelation 21:24 esv
By its light will the nations walk, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it,
Revelation 21:24 nlt
The nations will walk in its light, and the kings of the world will enter the city in all their glory.
Revelation 21 24 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Isa 2:2-4 | "In the last days the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established...and all nations shall flow to it." | Nations gathering to God's exalted kingdom. |
| Isa 49:6 | "I will make you as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth." | God's light extended universally. |
| Isa 49:23 | "Kings shall be your foster fathers...they shall bow down to you..." | Rulers serving God's people. |
| Isa 60:1 | "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you." | Jerusalem as a source of divine light. |
| Isa 60:3 | "Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn." | Kings and nations drawn to God's glory. |
| Isa 60:5 | "The wealth of the nations will come to you." | Nations bringing their riches. |
| Isa 60:6 | "All from Sheba will come, bearing gold and incense..." | Specific offerings from nations. |
| Isa 60:11 | "Your gates will always stand open...so that people may bring you the wealth of the nations—their kings led in procession." | Gates open for nations' tribute. |
| Isa 60:19 | "The sun will no more be your light by day...but the LORD will be your everlasting light..." | God as the exclusive light source. |
| Zech 8:20-23 | "Many peoples and strong nations will come to seek the LORD Almighty in Jerusalem..." | Universal pilgrimage to worship God. |
| Ps 72:10-11 | "The kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands may render tribute...all kings fall down before him..." | Earthly kings offering homage to the Messiah. |
| Ps 86:9 | "All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord..." | Universal worship of God. |
| Dan 7:14 | "All peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him." | All humanity serving God's dominion. |
| Jn 1:4-5, 9 | "In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind...The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world." | Christ as the divine light. |
| Jn 8:12 | "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness..." | Christ as the spiritual guide and source of light. |
| Phil 2:9-11 | "Therefore God exalted him to the highest place...that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." | All creation submitting to Christ's sovereignty. |
| Rev 7:9 | "A great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne..." | Multitude of nations in worship. |
| Rev 21:23 | "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light..." | God's glory illuminates the city directly. |
| Rev 22:5 | "And there will be no more night; they will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light." | Confirming God as the ultimate light source. |
| Rom 15:10 | "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." | Gentiles celebrating God's redemption. |
| Gal 3:8 | "And Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel in advance to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you.'" | The promise of blessing for all nations. |
| Eph 3:6 | "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel..." | Gentiles' co-inheritance in Christ. |
| Heb 12:28 | "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful..." | The unshakeable Kingdom received by believers. |
Revelation 21 verses
Revelation 21 24 Meaning
Revelation 21:24 depicts the eternal New Jerusalem, God's dwelling place with redeemed humanity, where the nations of the saved walk by its divine light. It illustrates a universal spiritual flourishing, as even the former earthly rulers—the kings—now willingly bring their wealth, achievements, and unique distinctions, offering them as an act of humble tribute and worship to God within the city. This signifies the complete subjugation and transformation of all worldly power to divine authority and glory.
Revelation 21 24 Context
Revelation 21:24 is situated within the visionary description of the New Jerusalem (Rev 21:9-27), the eternal city that descends from heaven, embodying the consummated dwelling of God with His redeemed people. Chapters 21 and 22 present the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan after the final judgment. Specifically, verses 9-23 detail the magnificent architecture, materials, and internal illumination of the city, emphasizing its divine origin, perfect purity, and the glory of God as its light source, replacing the natural sun and moon. Verse 24 logically follows, describing who populates and interacts with this city, indicating the universal scope of salvation and the transformation of all earthly systems and powers in the divine presence. The passage stands in stark contrast to the fallen world, signifying an end to rebellion and a complete reign of righteousness and peace, bringing to fruition the Old Testament prophecies of Gentiles coming to God's light.
Revelation 21 24 Word analysis
- And the nations (
kai ta ethnē): The Greek termethnērefers to "peoples, nations, Gentiles." In the biblical context, it primarily contrasts with Israel, referring to non-Israelite peoples. Here, it denotes all redeemed humanity drawn from every people group and ethnic origin. This highlights the universal scope of God's salvation, extending beyond Abraham's physical descendants to all who are saved through Christ (Gal 3:28-29, Rev 7:9). - of those who are saved (
tōn sōzomenōn): This phrase specifically defines which "nations" are in view: those who have received salvation. It emphasizes a distinct spiritual state, confirming entry into the eternal city is solely by God's grace through faith. It points to a redeemed remnant from everyethne. - will walk (
peripatēsousin): Fromperipateō, meaning "to walk around, live, conduct oneself." Here, it signifies not just physical movement but their entire manner of existence and way of life. They will live their existence within, and according to, the light of God. It implies guided action and consistent presence within the divine radiance. - by its light (
dia tou phōtos autēs): The light of the New Jerusalem. As stated in Rev 21:23, this light is "the glory of God" and "the Lamb is its lamp." This indicates that God Himself is the ultimate source of illumination and guidance, a concept foreshadowed in Isa 60:19. To walk by its light is to live in complete spiritual understanding, truth, and moral purity, directly in the presence of the Holy God. - And the kings (
kai hoi basileis): Refers to rulers or monarchs. In Old Testament prophecies (Isa 49:7, Ps 72:10-11), kings are depicted as offering tribute to the Messiah or Jerusalem. In Revelation, kings are often associated with earthly power and opposition to God (Rev 17:18, 19:19). Here, their presence implies that even the highest human authorities, formerly often in rebellion against God, will be brought into subjection and transformed to serve God. - of the earth (
tēs gēs): Distinguishes these kings as earthly rulers, as opposed to heavenly or spiritual kingship. This highlights the comprehensive victory of God over all worldly powers. - will bring (
pherousin): Meaning "to bear, carry, bring." It denotes an active, voluntary act of presentation. - their glory (
tēn doxan autōn): "Glory" refers to the reputation, splendor, honor, or magnificence of these kings, encompassing their power, achievements, and unique cultural contributions. It’s what made them distinctive on earth. - and their honor (
kai tēn timēn): "Honor" denotes value, respect, dignity. Together, "glory and honor" represent everything commendable, distinguished, or valuable that earthly kings possess or acquire. The act of bringing implies not self-exaltation but humbling submission, laying down their earthly distinctions before God, who alone is worthy of all glory and honor. This suggests a transformation where worldly attributes, once sources of pride or rebellion, are now consecrated and offered to God, stripped of their idolatrous aspects. - into it (
eis autēn): Refers to the New Jerusalem. This signifies that these transformed kings and their converted nations have free access to and participation within the divine city.
Revelation 21 24 Bonus section
The "nations of those who are saved" walking in the light implicitly contrasts with those who are excluded from the city (Rev 21:27, 22:15). While salvation is universally offered, not all accept it. This distinction emphasizes the moral purity and holiness required to enter the New Jerusalem, where anything defiled, or those who practice abomination or falsehood, are strictly forbidden. The kings bringing their glory and honor suggests a picture where unique cultural expressions and legitimate human excellence are not eradicated but rather purified and offered as a sacrifice of worship to God. It indicates a restoration and sanctification of aspects of human creativity and achievement that align with God's perfect will, transformed from self-serving endeavors into glorifying worship.
Revelation 21 24 Commentary
Revelation 21:24 provides a powerful summation of God's redemptive purpose: the establishment of an eternal kingdom where people from every nation joyfully live in the immediate, unmediated presence of God, who is their light and life. The verse portrays a complete and joyful convergence of all redeemed humanity—universal salvation manifested. The mention of "kings of the earth" is particularly significant, symbolizing the ultimate subjugation of all worldly power structures and achievements to God's authority. Unlike in the old earth where human authority often stood against divine will, here kings willingly and humbly bring their very "glory and honor" into the city, transforming what once might have been a source of rebellion or pride into an act of worship and submission. This imagery doesn't suggest earthly distinctions persist as tools for human pride but rather that even the most exalted human endeavors are redeemed and offered to the Lord. It signifies a redeemed humanity and a new creation where everything exists solely for the glory of God, demonstrating that nothing of the old world's distinctions, once purified, is completely cast aside if it can serve the Kingdom.